Green spaces and parks across the UK are to benefit from a new government investment of £13 million.

Local authorities will receive funding to restore and renovate existing spaces across the nation.

Approximately £9.7m has been pledged to give local leaders and communities resources to better maintain, protect and increase their recreational spaces. A further £2.7m will also be made available for the pocket parks plus programme to support communities to take the lead in transforming their neglected and derelict spaces.

-- Advertisement --

The National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund's Future Parks Accelerator initiative has also been boosted with a £1.2m investment. The partnership supports local authorities to test new and innovative approaches to managing and funding parks, ensuring the benefits of public parks and green spaces are enjoyed by future generations.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, announced the new funding package yesterday, 17 February.

He said: "Our parks and green spaces are huge assets to our towns and cities, offering precious spaces for all of us to get together, to exercise and to play.

"This latest funding will support bold proposals to help renovate and restore existing parks and create new vibrant, safe green spaces for our communities.

"The future of our nation's parks is an issue close to all our hearts and we will do all we can to preserve these vital green lungs that breathe life into our communities."

(CM/JG)